I have a 1.8GGZ Intel iMac that is exhibiting strange behavior and I don't know what could be the culprit:

• It has started up by itself a couple of times (nothing set in the system preferences/energy saver/schedule
• It loses the correct time every once in a while
• and yesterday the screen went black when I was using iPhoto and I had to do a hard restart to get the screen back on

I don't know these specific problems for this specific machine, but since you asked for any ideas... I had similar clock errors with previous machines, a G3 iMac and a G4 PowerBook. Usually this is caused by the machine not being plugged in for awhile, or a semi faulty connection to the PRAM battery. In both cases, that battery loses charge, or has it's charge get too low. The other two problems generate suspicions in me, but I can't give definitive answers.

The things I would strongly suggest are the basics. Back up all your files. Do a clean install of the OS and all updates.

Thanks, I know about the clock issues with a dying pram battery. I hope I am that lucky that is the problem but with it starting a few times by itself and the screen issue it doesn't sound like a battery. Can anybody tell me wrong? Thanks.

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